Cost of Living in Cape Verde - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $506 per month with rent on average in Cape Verde.

A couple spends around $822 per month with rent on average in Cape Verde.

A family of three spends around $1,138 per month with rent on average in Cape Verde.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.66 CVE 540
$3.60 CVE 344
$11.31 CVE 1,080
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$55.5 CVE 5,302
$31.72 CVE 3,029
$162 CVE 15.5K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.33 CVE 795
$5.21 CVE 498
$11.51 CVE 1,099
Cappuccino
$2.52 CVE 240
$0.86 CVE 82.0
$4.60 CVE 440
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09 CVE 199
$1.54 CVE 147
$3.08 CVE 294
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.17 CVE 111
$1.02 CVE 97.4
$1.52 CVE 146
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.05 CVE 291
$2.07 CVE 198
$5.18 CVE 495
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96 CVE 187
$1.53 CVE 146
$2.54 CVE 243
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.51 CVE 145
$1.39 CVE 133
$1.71 CVE 163
White Bread (500g)
$1.74 CVE 166
$1.03 CVE 98.1
$3.07 CVE 293
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.90 CVE 182
$0.83 CVE 79.0
$5.15 CVE 492
Eggs
$2.52 CVE 240
$1.80 CVE 172
$3.21 CVE 307
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.92 CVE 1,329
$6.33 CVE 605
$42.24 CVE 4,034
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.51 CVE 813
$4.60 CVE 440
$10.23 CVE 977
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.87 CVE 1,802
$7.80 CVE 745
$24.96 CVE 2,383
Apples (1kg)
$3.06 CVE 292
$2.03 CVE 194
$4.58 CVE 437
Banana (1kg)
$2.62 CVE 250
$2.05 CVE 196
$4.10 CVE 391
Oranges (1kg)
$2.99 CVE 285
$1.35 CVE 129
$7.79 CVE 744
Tomato (1kg)
$3.90 CVE 372
$1.04 CVE 99.5
$10.38 CVE 991
Potato (1kg)
$1.53 CVE 146
$0.82 CVE 78.1
$1.83 CVE 175
Onion (1kg)
$1.85 CVE 177
$1.28 CVE 122
$2.14 CVE 204
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.27 CVE 121
$0.51 CVE 48.36
$2.04 CVE 194
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.25 CVE 119
$0.70 CVE 66.6
$1.54 CVE 147
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.37 CVE 513
$4.84 CVE 462
$7.20 CVE 688
Wine (Bottle)
$8.46 CVE 808
$6.34 CVE 606
$9.52 CVE 909
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.15 CVE 206
$1.62 CVE 154
$2.69 CVE 257
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85 CVE 177
$1.53 CVE 146
$2.04 CVE 194
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.64 CVE 61.1
$0.43 CVE 41.04
$1.50 CVE 143
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$31.87 CVE 3,044
$29.34 CVE 2,802
$31.87 CVE 3,044
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.05 CVE 196
$1.54 CVE 147
$2.56 CVE 245
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.55 CVE 243
$1.53 CVE 146
$3.07 CVE 293
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$15.51 CVE 1,481
$10.34 CVE 988
$20.68 CVE 1,975
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.56 CVE 149
$1.34 CVE 128
$1.79 CVE 171
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.4K CVE 2.8M
$27.8K CVE 2.7M
$30.9K CVE 3.0M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.1K CVE 3.7M
$36.5K CVE 3.5M
$41.7K CVE 4.0M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$151 CVE 14.4K
$62.8 CVE 5,992
$209 CVE 20.0K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.94 CVE 1,618
$6.19 CVE 591
$30.98 CVE 2,959
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$54.6 CVE 5,210
$52.3 CVE 4,995
$65.4 CVE 6,243
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$29.94 CVE 2,860
$25.66 CVE 2,451
$30.80 CVE 2,941
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.23 CVE 786
$3.22 CVE 308
$10.73 CVE 1,025
Cinema Ticket
$5.58 CVE 533
$5.08 CVE 485
$6.09 CVE 581
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$148 CVE 14.1K
$104 CVE 9,963
$209 CVE 19.9K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,231 CVE 308.6K
$1,148 CVE 109.6K
$5,314 CVE 507.5K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.4 CVE 5,096
$31.42 CVE 3,001
$86.8 CVE 8,286
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.63 CVE 2,447
$20.50 CVE 1,958
$30.76 CVE 2,937
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$67.1 CVE 6,409
$51.6 CVE 4,930
$82.6 CVE 7,888
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$141 CVE 13.5K
$63.4 CVE 6,056
$190 CVE 18.2K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$426 CVE 40.7K
$310 CVE 29.6K
$827 CVE 79.0K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$257 CVE 24.6K
$188 CVE 18.0K
$366 CVE 34.9K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$592 CVE 56.5K
$363 CVE 34.7K
$1,132 CVE 108.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$342 CVE 32.7K
$263 CVE 25.1K
$843 CVE 80.5K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,133 CVE 108.2K
$670 CVE 63.9K
$1,442 CVE 137.7K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$806 CVE 77.0K
$348 CVE 33.3K
$1,051 CVE 100.4K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$338 CVE 32.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.33
4.5
9

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Cape Verde is $287 – below average monthly costs of $506. Many locals rely on dual incomes or shared housing. Remote workers earning abroad find strong purchasing power here.

Groceries average around $182 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $28.00.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($506) is 63% below the global median of $1,368.

Average rent ($170) is 75% below the global median of $667.

Dining out ($28.00) is 42% below the global median of $48.00.

Public transport ($12.00) is 65% below the global median of $34.00.

By City in Cape Verde
Rank
City
Population
Living Index
Solo costs
(no rent) / month
Solo costs
(with rent) / month
Family of 3 costs
(no rent) / month
Family of 3 costs
(with rent) / month
Mobile download speed
(Mbps)
Internet download speed
(Mbps)
1
-
68.01
57.4
2
70000
$393 $395 $1,095 $1,431
20.04
47.26
3
127832
57 $833 $1,256 $1,519 $2,430
158.23
63.51
4
-
41 $606 $878 $1,605 $1,826
226.77
65.99
5
-
-
-
Cape Verde Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Cost of Living in Cape Verde - Frequently Asked Questions
How does the overall affordability of Cape Verde stack up for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Cost of Living in Cape Verde typically feels approachable for essentials, with variation by island and lifestyle. You can find inexpensive local meals and straightforward housing options, while imported goods and some services may run higher. Housing ranges from modest apartments near town centers to quieter options with sea views; timing matters as seasonal demand shifts. Public transport and ride-hailing can keep costs reasonable, but trips between islands require planning. Overall value grows when you mix local shopping, shared workspaces, and flexible housing. Tip: Start with a trial month in a couple of neighborhoods to feel the pulse and budget accordingly.
What does daily life look like in terms of housing search, food, transport, and errands on the islands?
Cape Verde living cost varies by locale and habit, so plan around what you value most. In daily life, you should start your housing search near neighborhoods that balance walkability with calm streets; look for options with good ventilation and natural light. Food options range from lively markets with fresh produce to simple local eateries where you can stretch a budget. Transport is practical: buses and shared taxis cover main routes, while ferries connect the islands. For errands, expect slower rhythms in some areas but reliable basic services. Tip: Build a simple weekly routine that prioritizes essential spots and flexible days for market visits.
What budgeting strategies and neighborhood considerations help you maximize quality of life and plan around seasonality?
To maximize quality of life in Cape Verde, adopt a simple budgeting framework: separate housing, daily meals, transport, and activities; track what you truly use. Seasonality matters for tourism spikes and energy usage, so plan purchases and major purchases in quieter periods. Neighborhood fit depends on pace and access: consider coastal towns for sea access or inland areas for tranquility. Use local price benchmarks and test before committing long term; try coworking spaces and local clubs to build a network. Tip: Build a practical monthly plan that balances housing, food, and exploration while leaving room for seasonal changes.
Is Cape Verde expensive compared to other countries?
Cape Verde is affordable by global standards, though costs vary a lot by region. Smaller cities and rural areas are genuinely cheap, while capitals and tourist spots are pricier – but still below international averages for similar quality.
Is rent expensive in Cape Verde?
Rent in Cape Verde varies a lot – Praia has the highest prices, and the gap between capital and provincial rents can be 50% or more. Choosing which city to live in is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make.
Can you live in Cape Verde on $800 per month?
Absolutely – in smaller cities across Cape Verde, $800 covers rent and daily expenses with room to spare for eating out, entertainment, and saving. Even mid-sized cities work at this budget level.

Cape Verde vs other spots: cost of living compared

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